U.S. patent number 5,961,604 [Application Number 09/090,099] was granted by the patent office on 1999-10-05 for status monitoring systems for cable television signal distribution networks.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Alpha Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert P. Anderson, William J. Crawford.
United States Patent |
5,961,604 |
Anderson , et al. |
October 5, 1999 |
Status monitoring systems for cable television signal distribution
networks
Abstract
A system and method for determining the status of and
controlling network devices distributed throughout a communications
network. Each network device is provided with a server/interface
module containing a device specific application for that particular
network device. The device specific application contains a database
of status and control information associated with its associated
network device. The server interface module generates a web page
that contains at least a portion of the database and is connected
to the communications network so that a person using a standard
internet browser can view and alter the data contained by the
database. When changes and upgrades are made to network device, the
browser need not be upgraded.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Robert P. (Lynden,
WA), Crawford; William J. (Ferndale, WA) |
Assignee: |
Alpha Technologies, Inc.
(Bellingham, WA)
|
Family
ID: |
21954379 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/090,099 |
Filed: |
June 3, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/229 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L
12/10 (20130101); H04L 12/2801 (20130101); H04L
29/06 (20130101); H04L 41/046 (20130101); H04L
43/00 (20130101); H04L 43/0817 (20130101); H04N
21/4424 (20130101); H04N 21/6582 (20130101); H04L
41/22 (20130101); H04L 69/329 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04L
12/10 (20060101); H04L 29/06 (20060101); H04L
12/24 (20060101); H04L 12/26 (20060101); H04L
12/28 (20060101); H04L 29/08 (20060101); G06F
013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;364/DIG.1MSFile,DIG.2MSFile
;395/200.3,200.32,200.33,200.38,200.49,200.53,200.54,200.59
;709/200,202,203,208,219,223,224,229 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Harrell; Robert B.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schacht; Michael R. Hughes &
Schacht, P.S.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/048,404, which was filed on Jun. 3, 1997.
Claims
We claim:
1. A system for monitoring and controlling a network component
located at a first location in a cable television network using
browser software running on a general purpose computer located at a
second location in and operatively connected to the cable
television network, comprising:
server/interface means comprising
status means adapted to be operatively connected to the network
component to determine status information of the network
component,
control means adapted to be operatively connected to the network
component to generate control signals for controlling the network
component, and
device specific application means comprising
database means for storing status/control data associated with the
status information and the control signals, and
generator means adapted to generate browser data that may be
interpreted by the browser software, where the browser data
incorporates at least some of the status/control data; and
connecting means adapted to connect the device specific application
means to the cable television network such that the display data
may be displayed and altered using the browser software, the
connecting means comprising a modem for converting the browser data
into communications data appropriate for transmission by the cable
television network.
2. A system as recited in claim 1, in which the cable television
network comprises coaxial cable that carries a power signal and a
communications signal, where the power signal supplies power to
other components distributed throughout the cable television
network and the communications signal carries communications
data.
3. A system as recited in claim 2, further comprising a tap
assembly operatively connected to the coaxial cable of the cable
television network and the modem to allow communications data to be
transmitted between the cable television network and the modem.
4. A system as recited in claim 3, in which the network component
is an uninterruptible power supply, the system further comprising a
power inserter operatively connected to the coaxial cable of the
cable television network and the uninterruptible power supply to
allow power signals generated by the uninterruptible power supply
to be transmitted to the cable television network.
5. A system as recited in claim 1, in which the server/interface
means further comprises:
at least one outlet port; and
at least one communications subsystem consisting of an ethernet
subsystem, a point-to-point subsystem, and a serial line internet
protocol subsystem for transferring browser data to the at least
one output port.
6. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a tap
assembly operatively connected between the cable television network
and the modem to allow communications data to be transmitted
between the cable television network and the modem.
7. A system as recited in claim 1, in which the network component
is selected from the group of network components consisting of an
uninterruptible power supply, an end of line monitor, a video
amplifier, a line extending amplifier, a fiber optic node, and a
power node.
8. A system as recited in claim 1, in which the server/interface
means further comprises an internet protocol subsystem for
converting the status/control data into browser data and the
browser data into status/control data.
9. A system as recited in claim 1, in which the server/interface
means further comprises at least one of user datagram protocol
subsystem and transmission control protocol subsystem for
converting the status/control data into browser data and the
browser data into status/control data.
10. A system as recited in claim 1, in which the server/interface
means further comprises:
at least one outlet port; and
at least one communications subsystem consisting of an ethernet
subsystem, a point-to-point subsystem, and a serial line internet
protocol subsystem for transferring browser data to the at least
one output port.
11. A system as recited in claim 1, in which the device specific
application means further comprises a device interface configured
to allow the status means to determine status information from the
network component and the control means to transmit control signals
to the network component.
12. A system as recited in claim 1, in which the server/interface
means further comprises a telephony port operatively connected a
telephony line, where the telephony port is configured to allow the
browser data to be converted into telephony signals appropriate for
transmission to the general purpose computer over the telephony
line.
13. A network device for use in a cable television network having
at least one control location at which is located a general purpose
computer that runs industry standard browser software and which is
operatively connected to the cable television network, the network
device comprising:
a network component operatively connected to the cable television
network at a remote location to enable proper functioning of the
cable television network;
server/interface means comprising
status means adapted to be operatively connected to the network
component to determine status information of the network
component,
control means adapted to be operatively connected to the network
component to generate control signals for controlling the network
component, and
device specific application means operatively connected to the
server/interface means comprising
database means for storing status/control data associated with the
status information and the control signals;
generator means adapted to generate browser data that may be
displayed by the browser software, where the browser data
incorporates at least some of the status/control data;
a modem for converting the browser data into communications data
appropriate for transmission by the cable television network such
that the browser data may be displayed and altered using the
browser software; and
a tap assembly operatively connected between the cable television
network and the modem to allow communications data to be
transmitted between the cable television network and the modem.
14. A system as recited in claim 13, in which the cable television
network comprises coaxial cable that carries a power signal and a
communications signal, where the power signal supplies power to
other components distributed throughout the cable television
network and the communications signal carries communications data,
the system further comprising a tap assembly operatively connected
to the coaxial cable of the cable television network and the modem
to allow communications data to be transmitted between the cable
television network and the modem.
15. A system as recited in claim 14, in which the network component
is an uninterruptible power supply, the system further comprising a
power inserter operatively connected to the coaxial cable of the
cable television network and the uninterruptible power supply to
allow power signals generated by the uninterruptible power supply
to be transmitted to the cable television network.
16. A system as recited in claim 13, in which the network component
is selected from the group of network components consisting of an
uninterruptible power supply, an end of line monitor, a video
amplifier, a line extending amplifier, a fiber optic node, and a
power node.
17. A system as recited in claim 13, in which the device specific
application means further comprises a device interface configured
to allow the status means to determine status information from the
network component and the control means to transmit control signals
to the network component.
18. A system as recited in claim 13, in which the server/interface
means further comprises a telephony port operatively connected a
telephony line, where the telephony port is configured to allow the
browser data to be converted into telephony signals appropriate for
transmission to the general purpose computer over the telephony
line.
19. A system for monitoring and controlling an uninterruptible
power supply operatively connected to a cable television network at
a remote location using browser software running on a general
purpose computer located at a control location in the cable
television network, where the cable television network comprises
coaxial cable carrying power and information signals, the system
comprising:
server/interface means comprising
status means adapted to be operatively connected to the
uninterruptible power supply to determine status information of the
uninterruptible power supply,
control means adapted to be operatively connected to the
uninterruptible power supply to generate control signals for
controlling the uninterruptible power supply, and
device specific application means comprising
database means for storing status/control data associated with the
status information and the control signals, and
generator means adapted to generate browser data that may be
interpreted by the browser software, where the browser data
incorporates at least some of the status/control data;
a modem for converting the browser data into communications data
appropriate for transmission by the cable television network such
that the display data may be displayed and altered using the
browser software;
a tap assembly operatively connected between the cable television
network and the modem to allow communications data to be
transmitted between the cable television network and the modem;
and
a power inserter operatively connected to the coaxial cable of the
cable television network and the uninterruptible power supply to
allow power signals generated by the uninterruptible power supply
to be transmitted to the cable television network.
20. A system as recited in claim 19, in which the server/interface
means further comprises a telephony port operatively connected a
telephony line, where the telephony port is configured to allow the
browser data to be converted into telephony signals appropriate for
transmission to the general purpose computer through the telephony
line.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to systems and methods for
determining the status of and controlling remotely located
electronic devices and, more particularly, to such systems and
methods optimized for use in a communications network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Communications networks contain network devices, such as power
supplies, that are distributed throughout the network. Remote
control and status monitoring of these network devices is
desirable. Proprietary software for controlling and monitoring
these network devices must be upgraded whenever changes are made to
the network devices. This causes significant expense each time a
given type of network device is newly introduced or changed. The
need thus exists for a system that does not require software
upgrades each time devices are newly introduced or changed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system and method for determining the status of and controlling
network devices distributed throughout a communications network.
Each network device is provided with a server/interface module
containing an device specific application for that particular
network device. The device specific application contains a database
of status and control information associated with its associated
network device. The server interface module generates a web page
that contains at least a portion of the database and is connected
to the communications network so that a person using a standard
internet browser can view and alter the data contained by the
database. When changes and upgrades are made to network device, the
browser need not be upgraded.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first type of communications
system in which the present invention may be employed;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the network management system of
the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting alternative embodiment of the
network management system of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a network device incorporating
a cable modem and server/interface module of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the server/interface module
depicted in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the components of a device
specific application as shown in FIG. 5;
FIGS. 7 and 8 depict browser pages that illustrate the operation of
the present invention;
FIG. 9 depicts an SNMP manager employing the principles of the
present invention;
FIG. 10 depicts a browser page generated by the exemplary database
structure and HTML generator code attached hereto as Exhibits A and
B;
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a second type of communications
system in which the present invention may be employed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, depicted therein is a communications system 20
that embodies a network management system constructed in accordance
with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention.
The communications system 20 comprises a cable feed headend 22,
coaxial cables 24, at least one subscriber premises 26, and at
least one network device 28. Coaxial cables comprise trunk cables
30 and drop cables 32. The trunk cables 30 have high current
carrying capability and are designed to carry both a communications
signal and a power signal. The drop cables 32 are relatively low
current carrying conductors that are designed to carry only the
communications signal.
The principles of operation of the system 20 are, at this level,
well understood in the art and will be described herein only
briefly. A video feed enters the cable feed headend 22 as shown at
34 in FIG. 1. The cable feed headend 22 converts the signal carried
by the video feed 34 into one appropriate for transmission over the
cables 24. The communications signal is carried over the cables 30
and 32 to the subscriber's premises 26. Throughout the system 20,
numerous devices such as the device 28 are distributed for various
purposes. For example, this device 28 may be an uninterruptible
power supply, an end of line monitor, a video amplifier, a line
extending amplifier, a fiber optic node, or a power node including
a motor generator. Devices such as those listed in the previous
sentence are integral to the proper functioning of the system 20.
Accordingly, these devices must be controlled and their status must
be monitored in order to ensure that the system 20 is functioning
properly. If any of these devices 28 do not function properly, it
must be repaired or replaced.
Referring now to FIG. 2, depicted therein is one exemplary
configuration of a network management system 36 constructed in
accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 2, this system 36 comprises a network
management device 38 located at the headend premises 40 at which
the headend 22 is physically located.
FIG. 3 illustrates a network management system 36a in which the
network management device is located at a location other than a
cable feed headend 22. In this case, the network device 28 is at
one location, the cable feed headend 22 is at another location, and
the network management device 38 is at yet another location. In
this particular example, a splitter 42 splits the output of the
cable feed headend such that it feeds two separate CATV trunks 44
and 46.
The network management device 38 is a conventional computer capable
of running an industry standard internet browser or an SNMP
manager.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the exemplary network device 28 is
depicted therein in further detail. This device 28 comprises a CATV
UPS 50, a power inserter 52, a server/interface module 54, a cable
modem 56, and a subscriber tap 58. The UPS 50, power inserter 52,
cable modem 56, and subscriber tap 58 are conventional and will not
be described herein more than necessary for a complete
understanding of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the UPS 50 is connected to the CATV trunk 30
through a power conductor 60 and the power inserter 52. The UPS 50
generates an AC signal that is appropriate for powering devices
along the trunk such as line extending amplifiers and the like. The
power inserter 52 combines the AC signal generated by the UPS 50
with the communications signal carried by the CATV trunk cable
30.
The subscriber tap 58 passes only communication signals from the
CATV trunk cable 30 to a communications cable 62 connected to the
cable modem 56. The cable modem 56 may thus send and receive data
over the CATV trunk cable 30 through the subscriber tap 58.
The server/interface module 54 is connected by a serial cable 64 to
the UPS 50. The server/interface module 54 is also connected by an
appropriate communications cable 66 to the cable modem 56. The
server/interface module 54 controls and monitors the status of the
UPS 50 through the cable 64. The server/interface module 54 further
is connected to the network management device 38 through the CATV
trunk cable 30 via the cable modem 56. This arrangement allows the
network management device 38 to send control signals to the UPS 50
through the server/interface module 54 and receive status
information about the UPS 50 from the server/interface module
54.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the server/interface module 54 is depicted
therein in further detail. The server/interface module 54 is a
combination of hardware and software that controls and monitors the
UPS 50 on one hand and, on the other hand, communicates with the
network management device 38.
In particular, the exemplary module 54 comprises an RS485 port 68
that allows the serial cable 64 to be physically connected to the
module 54. Other equivalent communications ports or systems may be
used in place of the exemplary port 68. The module 54 further
comprises a 10 base T port 70, 10 base 2 port 72, and an AUI port
74. One of these ports, as appropriate, is connected to the cable
modem 56. These ports 70, 72, and 74 may also be connected directly
to a computer having a similar port.
The module 54 further comprises high and low speed serial ports 76
and 78. These allow communications with the server/interface module
54 to occur through standard phone lines as appropriate.
In addition to the hardware connections described above, the
server/interface module 54 comprises internet communications
layering software. In particular, the module 54 comprises a device
specific application 80, an internet protocol (IP) block 82, and an
ethernet block 84. The device specific application 80 further
comprises an HTTP block 86, and an SNMP block 88. The module 54
comprises computer hardware comprising a microprocessor, RAM
memory, and ROM memory as necessary to execute the code discussed
herein. This computer hardware portion of the module 54 is implicit
in the block diagram of FIG. 5 and is or may be conventional. The
implementation of this computer hardware will be easily understood
by one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the computer
hardware portion of the module 54 will not be described in detail
herein.
The module 54 further comprises a transmission control protocol
(TCP) block 90, a user datagram protocol (UDP) block 92, a
point-to-point (PPP) block 94, and a serial line internet protocol
(SLIP) block 96. The HTTP block 86 allows the device specific
application 80 to communicate with the TCP block 90. Similarly, the
SNMP block 88 allows the application 80 to communicate with the UDP
block 92. The internet protocol block 82 allows the information
processed by the transmission control protocol block 90 and/or user
datagram protocol block 92 to be passed by the ethernet block 84 to
the appropriate connectors 70, 72, and 74. The internet protocol
block similarly makes this information available to the PPP block
94 and the SLIP block 96. These blocks 94 and 96 are in
communication with either one of the serial ports 76 or 78.
Of the various components of the server/interface module 54, only
the device specific application 80 is not an industry standard. The
remaining blocks of the server/interface module are all industry
standard; no proprietary hardware or software is required to allow
the device specific application 80 to communicate with the network
management device 38. Thus, while the combination of blocks
disclosed herein in the context of a communications network is not
known, given this discussion, one of ordinary skill in the art will
be able to make and use the present invention without further
discussion of the details of the blocks other than the device
specific application 80.
Referring now to FIG. 6, the device specific application 80 is
depicted therein in further detail. The application 80 comprises a
database 120 that is in communication with the serial port 68
through a network device interface 122. The database 120 is in
communication with the HTTP block 86 through an HTML generator
block 124 and is in direct communication with the SNMP block
92.
The application 80 works basically as follows. The CATV device
interface 122 communicates with various components of the network
device 28. The interface 122 passes control signals to and receives
status signals from the device 28. The database 120 comprises
discrete, digital, and analog data related to certain aspects of
the device 28. The network device 38 may thus interrogate the
database 120 through the communications channel described above to
determine the status of the various components of the CATV 28 for
which values are contained in the database 120. Also, the network
management device 38 may be used to change certain of these
variables; when changed, the device interface 122 will pass these
variables on to the CATV device 28 as control signals that change
the status of this device 28.
For example, in the context of a CATV UPS, the following parameters
may be monitored using the system 36: battery voltage, current, and
temperature; input voltage and current; output voltage and current;
standby status; engine generator status; tamper system status;
water intrusion status; pad shear (movement) status; inverter
status; charger status; device history; battery time remaining; and
battery replacement status. Parameters that may be controlled
include battery test, output voltage and current, engine generator
operation, and the like. And certain of these variables can be both
monitored and controlled.
As briefly discussed above, most of the hardware and software
employed by the system 36 is industry standard and nonproprietary.
Accordingly, off-the shelf hardware and software products may be
used at significant cost savings. For example, as briefly described
above, the contents of the database 120 can be converted to HTML by
the HTML generator 124 and made available as a web site at the
block 86. Simply by typing in the appropriate address of the HTTP
block 86, an operator at the network management device 38 can use
an industry standard browser such as Netscape Navigator or
Microsoft Internet Explorer to view and change the contents of the
database 120. The HTTP block 86 thus, in essence, functions as a
web page displaying the status of the CATV device to which it is
connected.
Alternatively, the SNMP agent 92 can be monitored using an industry
standard SNMP manager to determine the status of the device to
which the agent 92 is connected. The system 36 thus obviates the
need for proprietary hardware and software to control and determine
the status of the CATV devices distributed throughout the system
20.
To illustrate this in further detail, FIGS. 7-8 depict
demonstrations of the appearance of an industry standard Netscape
Navigator browser connected to a particular power supply. Shown in
the section generally indicated by reference character 220 is a
display of certain discrete data maintained in a database such as
the database 120 described above. The section identified by the
reference character 222 contains analog data related to a given
component. A section indicated by reference character 224 indicates
the type of device and address of this device for which data is
being displayed. And the section indicated by reference character
226 displays a number of devices the status of which may be
monitored.
Referring for a moment to FIG. 8, shown at reference character 228
a different device is being monitored and/or controlled. The device
being monitored is different from that monitored by the browser as
shown in FIG. 7 and thus contains different sections. For example,
in addition to a discrete data section 230 and an analog data
section 232, the device shown in FIG. 8 displays a timer counter
data section 234 that contains periodic service data for the device
being monitored.
All of the logic necessary to control a given device and monitor
that device are contained in the server/interface module 54
associated with that device and not in the network management
device 38. Thus, as each generation of CATV devices designed and
manufactured, an appropriate server/interface module 54 for that
device is constructed. As part of this process, a "web page" is
designed for that device that allows the device to be controlled
and monitored as appropriate. This web page is viewed using an
industry standard browser running on the network management device
38.
Accordingly, as each generation of CATV device is released, the
software used by the network management device 38 need not be
changed or updated as long as it conforms to industry standards for
internet browsers. And the development of the server/interface
module 54 requires only that the device specific application 80 be
rewritten for each new type of cable TV device. Thus, control and
monitoring of widely geographically distributed network devices can
be accomplished simply by including a cable modem with each such
device and creating a relatively simple firmware program included
in that device that can be used as the device specific application
80.
Attached in the application file as Exhibit A as well as Exhibit B
are exemplary database structure for one typical CATV device. For
this particular device, the database structure of Exhibit A would
be used as the database portion of the device specific application
of the server/interface module 38 associated with that device.
Exhibit B contains a sample of code for an exemplary HTML generator
associated with the particular device associated with the database
structure of Exhibit A. And FIG. 10 is a print-out of the web page
generated by the database structure of Exhibit A and the HTML
generator of Exhibit B. This database structure and HTML generator
code are simply examples of what would be developed for a specific
network device.
Referring now for a moment to FIG. 9, depicted therein is the view
displayed by an SNMP network manager that connects to the device
specific application 80 through the user data grand protocol block
92. In this situation, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 6, the data in
the database 120 is made available directly to the SNMP block 92
and certain of the intelligence required to display this data
appropriately is contained in the network manager, which runs on
the network management device 38. Although certain of the
intelligence required to display this data is now distributed away
from the device specific application 80, the SNMP network model is
robust and widely accepted enough that this should not provide a
significant disadvantage if this model is used to control and
monitor the status of devices as shown in the present
invention.
It should be apparent that modifications to this basic system
described above may be made without departing from the spirit of
the present invention. For example, a particular network device is
shown in FIG. 4. Other network devices may connect to the CATV
trunk cable 30 in a different manner. For example, the subscriber
tap 58 may be built into the modem 56 or the power inserter 52.
Additionally, additional measures to protect the integrity of the
system 20 may be taken such as providing password protection in the
server/interface module 54 that allow different levels of access to
the network device 28 attached thereto.
Referring now to FIG. 11, the present invention will be discussed
in the context of a telephony communications system. Depicted in
FIG. 11 is a communications system 320 comprising a telephony
network 322, a telephony network power node 324, telephony network
transport equipment 326, a telephone central office 328, and a
telephone remote terminal 330.
The telephony network 322, telephony network transport equipment
326, and telephone central office 328 are well understood and will
not be discussed in detail herein. The telephone remote terminal
330 is analogous to the network management device 38 discussed
above and thus may simply be a general purpose computer capable of
running off-the-shelf internet browser software. Additionally, an
equivalent browser means may be located at the telephone central
office 328.
The telephony network power node 324 comprises an uninterruptible
power supply (UPS) 332, a server/interface module 334, and a modem
336. The UPS 332 is conventional and is connected to supply the
telephony network transport equipment 326 with a DC power signal
appropriate for powering this equipment 326. In addition to
supplying a DC power signal rather than an AC power signal, the UPS
332 differs from the UPS 50 described above in that AC to DC
rectifiers are main, the power supply equipment is mounted in an
inner enclosure sealed from outside air present in the outer
enclosure, and it uses heat exchangers rather than fan or passive
cooling.
The server/interface module 334 is substantially the same as the
server/interface module 54 described above except that the device
specific application employed by the module 334 is written
specifically for the particulars of the UPS 332.
The server/interface module 334 is connected to the telephony
network 322 through the modem 336 or directly via an ethernet
connection as illustrated by cable 338 in FIG. 11. In either
situation, the internet address of the server/interface module 334
is accessible through the telephony network 322 by using a standard
web browser located at the central office 328 and/or the remote
terminal 330. Therefore, as with the server/interface module 54
discussed above, the device specific application of the
server/interface module 334 allows control of the UPS 332 either at
one or both of the central office 328 and the remote terminal
330.
The principles of the present invention are thus clearly applicable
in environments, such as telephony, other than CATV systems.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The
present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects
as illustrative and not restrictive.
* * * * *